Group artifacts of similar colours and varying sizes together on a beadboard-backed bookshelf for a beachy, casual look. Here, delicate glass buoys, a timeworn vintage fan, milk-white bud vases and moody seascapes tell a story of the homeowner.

This rustic yet pretty summer cottage uses reclaimed wood timbers as support beams and for a wall feature that doubles as art. Combined with white painted beadboard the country look is clean and fresh. Eco-friendly upholstered furniture like the sofa from Lee Industries in light blue adds some New Hamptons chic. Seaside and nature-inspired accessories are trendy and carry through the earthy theme.

Add a beachy look easily by painting the inside of a shelving unit or switching up chair cushions. A soft turquoise paint isn’t overly dramatic, but looks great with bright white vases and stored tableware. Modern nautical chairs are instantly updated with bold blue cushions that can be easily swapped from season to season.

To create a vignette like this, cut and coil lengths of rope in glass vessels to showcase their natural tones and coarse textures. An oversized fishbowl pairs nicely with a length of chunky sisal, while a narrower hurricane shows off loops of twine.

An affordable way to update a room for summer? Pick up a large rug made from sisal or seagrass. The rough fibres, tight weave and neutral tones are kid-friendly and suit nearly any style of room. Ikea has several styles and sizes, for instance.

Older homes often already have beadboard, but to fake this rustic cottage style, install it yourself and paint the wooden slats white. In this colourful children’s bedroom, regatta flags, buoys and patriotic rugs break up the white walls and complete the seaside look.

The interior of this Georgian Bay cottage draws from the crisp white palettes and nautical themes of old homes in the Carolinas. New York architect Alexander Latham worked with the homeowner to build her dream space. To achieve a historical feel and balance the dark flooring, reclaimed ceiling beams were painted black. A painting of an old boat lift adds to the vintage vibe of the room.

Textured rattan mats stapled to the walls are an affordable substitute for grasscloth wallpaper, and mosquito netting over the beds is both practical and charming. These fun decor tricks are also budget savvy: the mosquito nets were $10 each at Ikea, and the rattan mats were $10 each in Chinatown.

If you don't have a beachfront view, create one with contemporary art or photography depicting sun, sand and surf. Purple is calming paint option for bedrooms, especially when paired with crisp white linens.